The Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 2003 and based in Philadelphia. The organization promotes immigrant integration and economic advancement through workforce development, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. It believes that a steady influx of new
customers, workers, and entrepreneurs can reinvigorate Pennsylvania’s aging population, renew its neighborhoods, and re-energize the economy. By making Pennsylvania a magnet for immigrants, the region will become a more vibrant, more creative, and more dynamic competitor in today’s global economy. The Welcoming Center has been a member of PICC since 2002 and appreciates being part of a statewide network that amplifies the call for just immigration policies.

Help Get Out The Immigrant Vote!

This is an important election year! Every week, PICC and our volunteers register hundreds of New Americans to vote at their naturalization ceremonies in Philadelphia. We are committed to ensuring they exercise their new rights, so we call them before their first election to make sure they have all the information they need. Help us mobilize new citizens to the polls this year by volunteering at one or more of our GOTV phone banks.

We will be hosting phone banks the week before Election Day at our
offices in Center City Philadelphia and in partnership with ACLAMO Family Centers in Norristown.

No prior phone bank experienced required as we will be training volunteers at the beginning of each shift. Volunteers should bring a laptop if they have one. Please contact Prudence Powell at prudencepowell@paimmigrant.org or Carlos Gonzalez at carlosgonzalez@paimmigrant.org if you have any
questions.

State Policy Updates

PA State Police Policy: This past summer Pro Publica and the Philadelphia Inquirer published a threepartseries outlining the extreme enforcement practices of the Philadelphia regional ICE office. The report also confirmed what immigrant communities had been reporting for months - that Pennsylvania State Police Troopers were actively collaborating with ICE, resulting in deportations and increased fear among communities across the state. Since these articles, PICC and partner organizations have been actively working with the Governor's office and the State Police to write and enact a
policy that would limit State Police communication and collaboration with ICE.

You can help! Add your name to our petition requesting that Governor Wolf and the Pennsylvania State Police enact and implement a policy and help protect our immigrant communities.

Anti-Sanctuary City Legislation: On Oct. 10, 2018 the House Judiciary Committee amended and
passed SB10, one of two anti-sanctuary city bills introduced this legislative session. This bill has already passed through the State Senate, and would only need a House floor vote before heading to the Governor. Luckily, by waiting until the last minute, legislators do not have much time to pass this bill. Currently neither the PA House or Senate have scheduled session days for after the Nov. 6th election, which means it is unlikely it will pass. However, we will not breathe easy until this session is closed, and there is no opportunity for these
harmful bills to pass.

Take Action! Download the #StoptheHate toolkit, which includes talking points and a list of key legislators to contact, and make a few calls to ensure this bill does not get a vote.

Public Charge Rule: Take Action & Submit Comments!

On October 10, the Trump administration formally announced a proposed regulation that would dramatically broaden the “public charge” test that has been a part of federal immigration law for decades. The new rule could force immigrant families to choose between permanent legal status and their ability
to access basic needs like healthy food, safe housing, and health care. These programs have improved participants’ health, wellbeing, school success, and economic security. The proposal would make—and has already made—immigrant families afraid to seek programs that support basic needs. One in four children have at least one immigrant parent. This issue touches millions, making it critical now and for our nation’s future.

Now, people across the country are speaking out against the inhumane policy by posting public comments on this extreme and cruel regulation. Publication of the rule has opened up a 60 day comment period, ending on December 10, 2018. PICC and Community Legal Services of Philadelphia are
partnering to ensure immigrant and refugee communities in PA have a voice in this process. On October 23, we will be hosting a webinar where Maripat Pileggi from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia will provide a brief overview of the content in the proposed rule and provide guidance on how individuals and agencies can submit comments.

Public Charge Rule: How to Take Action and Submit Comments!Tuesday, October 23, 10:00amRegister Today!Login
information for the webinar will be emailed to you upon completion of the registration form.

Family Readiness and Know Your Rights Workshop (Lancaster)

Through this free workshop, you will be equipped with an understanding of your basic rights, or the rights of someone you may know who encounters Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Additionally, we will walk you through the necessary steps for your family to be prepared in the event that you or a loved one is detained.

CWS Lancaster is
a bipartisan not for profit agency working to equip individuals- regardless of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, status, or membership in a particular social group with the tools necessary for stability and self sufficiency in our community. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.

Film Screening: Futbolistas 4 Life

Futbolistas 4 Life is about Oakland teens from Latinx immigrant families and the healing power of soccer. The film takes you into the lives of two high schoolers: one is a college hopeful and DACA applicant navigating the reality of his immigration status, and the other is an American citizen afraid that her undocumented parents may be deported. These youth take solace in the game of soccer, which lets them put their worries on the sidelines, if only for a moment. Watch the trailer!

As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen the capacity of immigrant
leaders to advocate for the needs of their communities, we will be hosting a U.S. Civics and Advocacy Training for community leaders. Lunch will be provided. Language interpretation and childcare available upon request. Register now!

Contact Carlos Adolfo Gonzalez, Statewide Capacity Building Coordinator, at carlosgonzalez@paimmigrant.org if you have any questions.

#StoptheHate Monthly Educational Webinars

Join activists from around the state
who are working to stop all anti-immigrant legislation in PA and to pass pro-immigrant policies at the municipal and state levels. Every call we will have an in-depth presentation on a different topic or campaign. This month's topic will be a review of the campaign for access to driver's licenses for all.

November Community Navigator Series

PICC's Community Navigator Training Program is designed to equip
participants with the knowledge and skills to assist with a variety of immigration services, including comprehensive legal screenings, citizenship applications, and deportation defense packets. As trained community leaders, Community Navigators are able to provide quality information, and work with attorneys and accredited representatives to organize community-based legal clinics and information sessions to ensure that their communities are able to get the information and assistance they need.

Our next Community Navigator Training Series will be held in Lancaster from November 7th to November 17th, 2018. Trainings are free. Register now!

Please Donate to PICC!

PICC depends upon your support. Please donate to PICC today to support our advocacy and organizing work to mobilize the immigrant vote, build immigrant leaders, campaign for pro-immigrant policies at the local, state and federal levels, and support the
effective implementation of pro-immigrant public policies.